Marathi cinema’s ‘angry young man’ Upendra Limaye says he will do romantic films only if he gets good scripts

The 40-year-old National award-winning actor, who will be seen next in Girish Mohite-directed film Guru Poornima-Ek Lovable Story, said as an artiste he feels content of the movie is most important.

“I will continue doing romantic films provided I get the right scripts. I do not want to restrict myself to a particular genre. For me, the content is the king. Good and interesting scripts are something I am looking for at this point of my career,” said Upendra

In ‘Guru Poornima’, the ‘Jogwa’ star will be playing a young romantic hero opposite Marathi actress Sai Tamhankar. The love story revolves around a college going girl (played by Sai) and her romance with young teacher (enacted by Upendra).

“This is not my first romantic film. I won my first National award for Jogwa, which also had strong romantic elements. Though the film gave a strong social message but for me it was a love story,” he said.

Meanwhile, the first look of ‘Guru Poornima’, produced by Medha Manoj Caculo, was launched recently in Mumbai in the presence of the film’s starcast and the makers. In the poster, Upendra and Sai, paired for the first time, posed glamorously in black outfits.

The film is expected to hit theatres on September 12.

Having started his career with serious and socially aggressive roles in Marathi films like ‘Mukta’ and ‘Dhyasparva/Kal ka Aadmi’, the actor also tried his luck in Bollywood films including Madhur Bhandarkar’s Traffic Signal’, ‘Page3′ and Chandni Bar.

Upendra feels that the Indian film industry is situational.

“You have to frame yourself according to the situations of the Indian film industry. Marathi film industry is such a happening place where now new breed of actors have come up,” he said.

We conducted a poll recently, asking you to pick a heroine for Madhur’s next project. Well, here are the results…

It’s an old tale that Madhur Bhandarkar, who has impressed the masses with his hard hitting and realistic films like Fashion, Traffic Signal, Page 3 amongst others, is now coming up with yet another realistic drama titled Madamji, a movie centred around the life of a female actor-turned-politician. The filmmaker was quite confused between Vidya Balan, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra to play the leading role for his new project. That’s when we decided to help him out and asked you BollywoodLifers, to pick a heroine who you would like to see, as Madamji.

You have given your verdict and Priyanka Chopra has emerged as the winner by acquiring maximum votes. We received a total of 9,575 votes, out of which the Exotic babe has won the poll hands down by bagging 5,108 votes, which is over 53 percent of the total votes. Katrina Kaif has followed Priyanka with 2,288 votes (24 percent). Well, now that is nowhere close to the number of votes that PeeCee has got. What say?

The third position is claimed by Deepika Padukone, who has got 1,357 votes (14 percent). Now that comes as a surprise, doesn’t it? After all Dippy is the flavour of the season, hai na? Anyway, Kajol bagged the fourth position by winning only 329 votes (3 percent), while Vidya Balan is on the fifth place by getting 315 votes (3 percent). And finally, the last position is secured by the gorgeous Madhuri Dixit, who has bagged mere 178 votes (2 percent).

So if Madhur is reading this, he knows whom to cast as Madamji. And if he does rope in PeeCee, then it will be the second time when the filmmaker and actor come together after Fashion.

The script of the Chandni Bar director’s next, a political drama, is in its final stages – but who will play the lead role?

After impressing audiences with his hard hitting and realistic films like Fashion, Chandni Bar, Page 3, Traffic Signal, Satta and so on, Madhur Bhandarkar is back with yet another realistic drama titled Madamji. This one is centred around the life of an female actor-turned-politician. The script of the film is in its final stages and the filmmaker has three leading heroines of B-town on his wishlist to play the main role. Reportedly Madhur is planning to approach Vidya Balan, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra for his new project – nice choices by Madhur, we must say! If you remember, PeeCee has already worked with Madhur in the critically acclaimed Fashion.

“Madamji traces the story of a small-time actress who turns to politics under the guidance of her mentor, and the film’s lead character will be in her late 30s or early 40s. Like all his other films, this one too will be a hard-hitting story with a dash of humour. The film takes its inspiration from a real-life person who is currently a politician in Uttar Pradesh. Madhur will be meeting all three of the actors and, depending on how the talks go, the film’s lead will be finalised,” a tabloid reported.

While Bhandarkar has three heroines already on his wishlist, we have some suggestions for the talented director. Since his movie is based on a female actor-turned-politician, wethinks Katrina Kaif could play the role very well. After all, she has played a politician in Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti, hai na? And since the film requires the character to be in her 30s or early 40s, don’t you think Kajol would be perfect to play it? It would be a nice new comeback for the lady who never went anywhere, hai na? Then there is Madhuri Dixit-Nene, who could play this role as she is seen in two women centric films like Dedh Ishqiya and upcoming Gulaab Gang already. So there you are. Tell us, of these six heroines, who would you want to see in Madamji? Vote!

Born on August 26, 1968, Madhur Bhandarkar got himself trained in filmmaking while working at a video cassette library in Mumbai. After assisting Ram Gopal Varma on Rangeela (1995), he made his directorial debut with Trishakti (1999).

But it was Chandni Bar (2001) that catapulted Madhur to fame and got him his first National Film Award. Continuing with his cutting-edge realistic films with Page 3 and Traffic Signal (among others) – which were honoured with the National Award – the director entered the big league with Priyanka Chopra and Kangna Ranaut-starrer Fashion in 2008.

Madhur made a romcom for a change with 2011’s Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, but got back into his groove with Kareena Kapoor-starrer Heroine last year.

As Madhur turns 45 today, what’s in store for his future? Astro-numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi predicts, “Madhur will now be entering in his 46th year, which indicates a speculative time. He should devote most of his time to writing and directing his next movie, but also make sure it releases only in 2015. Next year may not prove to be too fruitful for him, especially if he is aiming for critical acclaim as well as box office success.”

“On the brighter side, 2013 – that adds up to Number 6 (Venus) – is likely to prove lucky for Madhur,” he adds.

Here’s wishing Madhur a very happy birthday! Send in your wishes to the director.

A film debut with Vishesh Films in Kalyug fetched Kunal Khemu the recognition and awards with Mahesh Bhatt’s banner backing him all the way. Madhur Bhandarkar offered him the career-defining role of Silsila in Traffic Signal and Khemu did strive to cash in on it by essaying several entertaining characters in films released thereafter – the most applauded in the form of the popular character Laxman in Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 3. With Go Goa Gone, the actor is all set to turn a new page in his career.

Hardship has added a kind of maturity and the veneer of experience, a hard shell that has helped a resilient Kunal survive in the face of stiff competition to prove that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. We bond over iced tea in the cool confines of the actor’s Versova home…

Go Goa Gone has created a new genre in Bollywood, the ‘zom-com’. The film has elements of horror, comedy, thrills and action. What did you think before you agreed to do this one?

It’s a story that Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK and I worked on together and we were very happy with the way the script shaped up. We were excited to do a mix of horror and comedy and introduce the concept of zombies to the Indian audience. The journey from pre-production to writing to shooting to working with foreign technicians and seeing how the zombie makeup is done… it was amazing, because everything was new, nothing had ever been attempted by any of us. It was a fun journey and we really had a great time shooting Go Goa Gone. I really enjoyed working with Raj and Krishna.

Yes, it was like being on vacation. We spent lot of time in Goa on the beach and in the forest. All the actors in the film got along very well and did fun stuff all the time.

As you said, zombies will make their debut in Bollywood with GGG. Do you think the Indian audience will be able to relate to the new concept?

We’ve made a film that we believe in. The response to the trailer has been just terrific. It seems like people are quite anxious to see the film, considering the newness of the subject and genre. Keeping aside the zombie angle, it’s a really entertaining film that will be enjoyed by the entire family.

Any Hollywood zombie flick that inspired it?

Obviously there were lots of Hollywood zombie comedies for reference. But we wanted to attempt an original story and not just borrow a concept. We are aware that in the world market zombie movies are a successful genre, and we know that a lot of Internet audiences also watch our films today. So we didn’t want them to think that we just borrowed one of their films and made it.

As an actor, how does it feel when the media says that GGG is like a second coming for you?

I don’t get bugged by what the media thinks or says about me. I do what I want to do. I like the fact that people are anticipating for me! I did Go Goa Gone with no other intention but the fact that it’s going to be India’s first zombie flick, not thinking that it’s going to mark my entry again or my arrival.

What will GGG help you achieve – professionally and personally?

I’ll know that on May 10, when the film releases (Smiles). As an actor, I will continue to make the most of every good opportunity. I really cannot predict where the film will take my career.

The film was delayed and shooting was stalled for few months last year…

It was never stalled. It took some time to make because there are certain portions in the film that required us to shoot at the beach but, due to the monsoon, we had to change our location from Goa to Mauritius.

Somehow you don’t come across as a ‘go-getter’ actor. Isn’t it difficult to survive in today’s time?

I think I’m doing pretty fine, right? (smiles) Maybe I’m not a go-getter, as you said, but I enjoy the work that I do and I only do the work that I enjoy doing. I’m a patient actor and not in a hurry to do films. At times I wish I had more options to choose from. I’m still learning a lot about Bollywood and how it functions.

What about competing with young blood like Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor or Ayushmann Khurrana?

Honestly, if you put up yourself in that place, you’ll cause yourself lot of unnecessary stress or even depression. It’s not like an Olympic race where every runner is on an equal platform… then you say it’s competition. I think every actor is attempting different genre films with different banners. I don’t think it’s fair enough for anybody to say that I’m not in the competition but, as I said, the ground is not equal.

You were recently quoted saying “I would like to believe that Soha and I will get married this year!”

No, that’s not true. I said the relationship is going fine, but every time we are asked the same question regarding marriage. There’s no answer to that, because Soha and I haven’t discussed that yet. But yes, eventually marriage is going to happen.

In an interview with us a year ago you said “I want more time to settle as an actor before I get married.” Do you think you need still more time?

Well, it’s a personal decision. I may have a different definition of ‘settle’ and ‘marriage’ that couldn’t match with yours or others’. I don’t think I need to clarify anything related to my decision of getting married or settled. Whenever the time is right, I’ll talk about it.

We haven’t given much thought to it. We don’t burden our relationship. We like being together. We love each others’ company. It’s really good to have a person with whom you can share and discuss everything under the sun. That’s what makes any relationship work.

Do your to-be brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan and bhabhiKareena Kapoor Khan encourage you and Soha to get married?

Not really! We (Soha and he) don’t discuss marriage with them.

What about Golmaal 4? We heard that the script is ready…

I doubt that, because I haven’t heard about it. There were talks, but nothing is confirmed so far. I am not aware of it.

What will keep you busy in the second half of the year?

There’s an action thriller, Bhaag Johnny, directed by Vikram Bhatt. After the release of GGG, I will finish shooting that film. There are two other projects, but I’m waiting for the official announcements before I can talk.

The Heroine! director has been invited to participate in the prestigious film festival and judge movies from across the world

Bollywood has spread its wings worldwide, and it’s evident as more and more actors, directors and technicians are being invited to be a part of international film projects among other things. This time Madhur Bhandarkar has caught the eye of the organizers of the 35th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). The National Award winning director will be on the International Jury that decides on the best movies made world over.

This is not the first time that Madhur has been associated with CIFF. His five films including ChandniBar, Page 3, Traffic Signal, Corporate and Fashion was screened at the fest in 2010, and it seems that the filmmaker left the organizers impressed with his works.

An elated Madhur said, “I am delighted to be a part of the International Jury for the 35th edition of Cairo International Film Festival. I love the theme that they have ‘Positive thinking, revolution and freedom’. This is an honour, which I humbly accept.” Well, it will be good to see Madhur hobnobbing with the bigwigs of international cinema as he deliberates on the best films this year. By the way, he will also be judging Indian films like Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Paan Singh Tomar, Karan Johar’s Agneepath and Rituparno Ghosh’s Chitrangada.

Acclaimed Indian director Madhur Bhandarkar has been invited at the 35th Cairo International Film Festival, starting November 27, to judge a segment. Bhandarkar has been chosen to be part of the International Jury segment because of his contribution to the Indian cinema. “I am delighted to be a part of the International Jury for the 35th edition of Cairo International Film Festival. I love the theme that they have ‘positive thinking revolution and freedom’,” the 44-year-old said in a statement.

This is not the first time Bhandarkar is going to be a part of the event. In 2010, a retrospect of his five films including Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate, Traffic Signal and Fashion was showcased at the prestigious film fest. Many big names from Hollywood have been associated with the festival like Salma Hayek, Samuel L Jackson, Bruce Willis and Bill Murray.

Madhur Bhandarkar’s new movie is all set to travel the oft-trodden path…..albeit very stylishly

The Kareena Kapoor starrer Heroine might not hold anything new, we fear. And we say this only after watching the promos that threaten to expose the dark secrets of the film industry. But hello, hasn’t Madhur Bhandarkar, the director of the movie, revealed ample secrets in his previous films – Fashion, Corporate, Traffic Signal and Page 3? So after going through so many revelations, wethinks the secrets of the film industry won’t be too difficult to guess at. Right?

But while we stand disappointed as far as those dark and dirty secrets go, there’s one section of this movie that might surprise us. And that’s Bebo’s uber-stylish wardrobe.

Peeking out from the freshly released still of Heroine is Kareena Kapoor who looks haute in a blue and white printed top. But what actually took our breath away was the gold in this attire – trendy and solid. Whoa! Now that’s some combination when it comes to western outfits, no?

Another not-to-be-missed detail in this image is the look in KK’s eyes. The babe here has effortlessly given a new dimension to ‘sultry’. And one look at this makes us think that the heroine in this movie is certainly going to be one helluva lady. Are we right or are we right?

Director Madhur Bhandarkar was presented with the Ganga Sharan Singh Award by Dr Pratibha Patil on June 20. Girish Karnad and Shyam Benegal were also conferred with the award for their contribution to Indian cinema

The Ganga Sharan Singh Award is a literary honour that the Ministry Of Human Resource Development confers on people who play an integral role in promoting Hindi literature. The award ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Madhur said in an interview recently that this is his fourth presidential award and he’s glad that the government of India has always supported and acknowledged his work.

Bhandarkar has received accolades for Chandni Bar, Page 3 and Traffic Signal in the past. And we are sure with this prestigious win, the director is in seventh heaven right now.

We wonder if hardcore Hindi literary enthusiasts are pleased with HRD’s choice. But whatever the case is, we are sure this is no less than a morale booster for Madhur, who will obviously continue making movies the way he wants to…

The three filmmakers will be presented with the Ganga Sharan Singh Award, a literary honour

President of India Dr Pratibha Patil will present the Ganga Sharan Singh Puraskar to filmmakers Madhur Bhandarkar, Shyam Benegal and Girish Karnad for contribution to the Hindi language through cinema. The award is a literary honour of the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s Kendriya Hindi Sansthan. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 20 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

While veterans Benegal and Karnad have both been honoured with the Government of India’s Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan honours, for Bhandarkar it’s the fourth presidential award after his awards for Chandni Bar, Page 3 and Traffic Signal. Bhandarkar said in a statement, “Over the years, not just the audience or the industry but also the Government of our country has supported and acknowledged my work. I am honoured and thankful to the HRD ministry for finding me befitting of this award.”